Pauquette Children's Services (PCS) has a staff of several experienced social workers who  work with birth parents.  Because of their training and experience, the social workers are well aware of the issues and concerns faced by birth parents who are considering the choices available to them for their unborn or newly born child.  The emphasis of the staff of PCS with the birth parents is to provide a professional and objective opportunity to consider these choices.

After a birth parent has contacted the agency, an initial counseling session is scheduled with one of the social workers and the birth parents.  Although the main office is currently located in Portage, Wisconsin, the staff of PCS travels to the community of residence of the birth parent to provide all counseling.  The objectives of the initial session are to begin the establishment of a working relationship and to begin the work of assisting the birth parents to consider all the alternatives available in regards to the child.  After this information has been presented, the birth parents are assisted to begin making a decision that is the most reasonable and in the best interests of themselves and the child.  If necessary, or desired, other family members are also involved in the counseling process.  Following the initial session, follow-up counseling sessions are scheduled with a frequency dependent upon the desires of the birth parents and as a particular situation requires.  All follow-up counseling sessions are also held in the community of the birth parents.

If, after considering the alternatives, the birth parent chooses to raise the child, assistance is given to that parent in regards to the parent's adjustment with a life style of parenting responsibilities.  This may also include referring the birth parent to programs which would also offer support and assistance to them in this regard.

If the birth parents choose to place the child for adoption, the counseling focus moves toward assisting the birth parents with their personal adjustment regarding relinquishment of parental rights and follow-up adjustment as well as with the particular plans for the adoptive placement.  PCS does allow birth parents to review approved home study evaluations regarding potential adoptive couples.  Although the confidential information is excluded from these reports, the birth parents are given the opportunity to help decide on the selection of a particular couple and family.  Since PCS is a non-denominational agency, there are approved couples from all religions and walks of life.  PCS is licensed throughout the State of Wisconsin and works with couples who reside in both metropolitan and rural areas.

During the time when the birth parents are working to choose a particular adoptive couple, the Pauquette Social Worker is also assisting the birth parents to complete the medical and genetic background information required by the State of Wisconsin at the time of the termination of parental rights hearing.  Pauquette also assists the birth parents with choosing an attorney and beginning the initial legal steps necessary.

Since there are usually about  two or three weeks following the birth of the child before the termination of parental rights hearing is held, a social worker from Pauquette will discharge the baby from the hospital and place the child in a licensed foster home until the termination of parental rights hearing has been held.  During that time, the birth parents have the opportunity to visit the child in the foster home if that is desired.  The social worker also assists the birth parents with preparations for the court hearing so they have the knowledge of the experience prior to the hearing.  Typically, the child is placed with the adoptive family on the same day following the termination of parental rights.  Pauquette social workers remain available to assist the birth parents during the time following the termination of parental rights to provide an opportunity for personal adjustment assistance in regards to the termination of parental rights.